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I live in Phoenix. So no snow here, but I do travel a lot. I usually make it to HI at least once a year. When that happens I would love to see your shop, and even help out for a day or two to get a "handle" on how it does down there.

Last year I offered a friend from Germany to fly him in, feed him, and give him a bed for helping me out for 2-3 weeks but he had just gotten a new job and couldn't come. If I still had my old apartment, I would offer that again, but I moved into a much smaller place. But I'd pay someone right now, just to get my stuff done. Not that I have a lot of cash around, still waiting to hear back from afee job applcations, but orders piling up annoys me enough to pay for help and get it done. I started making handles as a hobby and stress reduction, but always being behind has become a real stressor for me.

I am teaching an undergrad class this semester as an adjunct faculty, maybe someone there needs a few bucks or maybe they have an info board for such things... It just would be nice to find someone who has seen a power tool close up before and doesn't sue me if they drop the hammer on their foot.

It just would be nice to find someone who has seen a power tool close up before and doesn't sue me if they drop the hammer on their foot.

Stefan

Finding even semi-qualified help is tough. Finding someone who is willing to get dirty is equally as tough. I know the problems you are having because all the small businesses I know of are having the sme problem including mine.

My wife and I considered going to Hawaii for our vacation this year until she decided to stay a little closer. It is the flight that she doesn't like. If I came to help in your shop she would strangle me as I slept. Women have no sense of humor about vacations.

As for the hammer issue, have them wear shoes with steel toes. I do and it has proven to be a foot and toe saver, several times!

Thanks David. It's even more difficult to find someone to help because work comes in waves. A few friends helped for a few hours, but it was clear that this was not their thing. Some forumites helped out a bit, but also not a set-up that worked out perfectly. And the kid (undergrad student) I hired once was clueless even though he took woodworking in high school (whatever that means), and he used to practice the one-armed brooming while texting with the other hand. We also did seem to have different opinions on work ethics... Oh well, I just gotta plow through it, I guess.

Oh, and if you do make it out here for a vacation, I promise not to make you work too hard But I gotta show you the shop and bother you with questions.

Fought my way across town in rush hour traffic to the shop, only to realize I forgot my glasses. Wanted to do the finishing and final checks on a few handles today, better do that tomorrow when I see what I am doing.